A total of 1,714 ballots were cast in Tuesday's referendum election, representing 19 percent of the town's 9,039 registered voters.

Voters supported Question 2, by a vote of 1,159 in support to 472 against with 83 ballots left blank, to approve new design review standards, which will allow drive-through eateries to locate within the Suburban Commercial District, or Route 1 North, where new ones are currently not permitted.

According to the proposed design standards, the purpose is to "allow for growth and development while preserving the historical integrity, habitat and ecosystem integrity, architectural integrity, and visual integrity of the community."

The standards seek to "prevent the loss of community character by prohibiting the repetition of generic architectural forms frequently used by commercial chains throughout the country, and instead encourage site-specific architectural building based on traditional New England design," and to "ensure that all sites, including sites with drive-through facilities, enhance pedestrian amenity and are designed to provide a safe environment for users, employees, adjacent uses and pedestrians on both public and private sidewalk areas."

The ordinance would require that new buildings be compatible with the façade of existing buildings on Route 1 and that any auto-oriented establishments including fast food restaurants should orient the building close to Route 1 and locate the drive-through activities to the side or rear of the building.

Voters also supported an amendment to the town's ordinance regarding motels, hotels and inns, which requires any of those facilities with a cooking facility to be protected by a fire sprinkler system. The amendment passed by a vote of 1,061 in support to 514 against and 139 ballots left blank.